From rice paddies to coral reefs: 9 tropical island getaways within 10 hours of Australia

Bora Bora

Best for: couples and honeymooners

Synonymous with honeymoon romance, Bora Bora is the epitome of island luxury – arguably the most postcard-perfect slice of paradise in French Polynesia. While the archipelago counts more than 100 islands and atolls, few rival the cerulean shallows that define Bora Bora. Revered as the “Pearl of the Pacific”, it offers iconic overwater bungalows (pioneered here in the ‘60s) set against volcanic backdrops, where days are spent diving with reef sharks, dolphins, and stingrays, and nights feasting on the freshest seafood. If the thought of rolling from a plush king bed straight into a private turquoise lagoon sets your pulse racing, Bora Bora is the island escape you’ve been dreaming of (and likely spotted on every travel brochure).

Hawaiʻi

Best for: American glamour and Polynesian culture

Speaking of White Lotus, Hawaiʻi was the series’ first-ever backdrop – an inspired choice given its alluring mix of beachfront designer shopping, volcanic drama, and sparkling bays.

The Aloha State, set around 3,200 kilometres south west from California, is made up of eight major islands – each offering a heady blend of American glamour and Polynesian culture. Framed by volcanic giants like Kilauea and wrapped in turquoise surf, this legendary archipelago delivers rugged beauty seamlessly contrasted by high-end indulgence and designer shopping.

Island-hop from Oʻahu, with its iconic Waikiki Beach, to Maui and Kauaʻi, or slow down on the Big Island. Wherever you land, embrace the Aloha spirit—learn to hula by firelight, feast on fresh poke bowls, and sip mai tais as the sun melts into the surf.

Fiji

Best for: a family all-rounder

Sure, many Pacific islands brim with culture, beaches, and adventure, but it’s the Fijian Bula spirit that truly sets this destination apart. Bula – meaning life, happiness, good health, and vitality – is the heartbeat of daily life here, echoed in every greeting and shared with unmistakable warmth.

On the mainland, luxury resorts hum with kids’ clubs, bustling markets, and seafood-rich dining. But it’s Fiji’s outer islands, like the Mamanucas and Yasawas, where the country really shines. Spend your days snorkelling kaleidoscopic reefs alongside hawksbill turtles, then your nights wrapped in fire dancing and traditional kava ceremonies. Just four hours from Australia’s east coast, Fiji is the ultimate all-rounder, where adventure, culture, and luxury resort living seamlessly collide.

Bali

Best for: affordable luxury

Whether you’re a frequent visitor or simply Bali-curious, everyone knows Indonesia’s fabled Island of the Gods. Once strained by overtourism – particularly from Australians – its beauty dimmed. But after the Covid travel pause and progressive environmental measures such as a ban on single-use plastic, the island’s natural splendour has thankfully re-emerged.

Framed by tranquil rice paddies, world-renowned surf breaks in Uluwatu, indulgent spa retreats in Ubud, and volcanic treks at sunrise, Bali is rightly hailed as a global wellness hub – where serenity and adventure meet in perfect balance. Yet beyond wellness, it’s the island’s affordable opulence that lures travellers back time and again. Think private villas in Kuta, Uluwatu, and Seminyak with on-call chefs, masseuses, and infinity pools, or five-star beachfront resorts pulsing with day clubs. In Bali, luxury doesn’t have to be rushed. The true magic lies in slowing down – to the rhythm of coconuts cracking open and turquoise waves rolling ashore.

Lombok

Best for: laidback tranquility

If Bali tempts you but you’re craving something more authentic, tranquil, and less crowded, then Lombok is your answer.

Often dubbed Bali’s wilder, quieter sibling – and gateway to the car-free Gili Islands – Lombok delivers the same dramatic beauty without the overtourism. It’s a paradise primed for adventure. Think soft white sands, world-class surf breaks, cascading waterfalls, mountain treks, and lush jungle trails. To visit and not dive into its outdoor treasures would be a missed opportunity. From exhilarating freedives off Kuta’s coast and the towering beauty of Mount Rinjani to laid-back paddleboarding in Senggigi Bay, Lombok is a sensory feast guaranteed to whet your appetite for adventure.

Koh Samui

Best for: barefoot luxury

Cementing its place as one of the world’s ultimate luxury escapes, Thailand’s second-largest island offers more than just pristine beaches and a year-round tropical climate. Its recent White Lotus fame has only heightened the appeal, but Koh Samui’s true charm lies in its slower, more balanced rhythm compared to Bali.

Rooted in welcoming Buddhist spirituality, the island blends barefoot luxury with a focus on wellness and relaxation. Yes, like many Southeast Asian oases, it boasts five-star resorts set against palm-fringed shores, but what sets Koh Samui apart is its versatility. From the lively energy of Chaweng and Lamai to Maenam’s quieter sands and Bophut’s charming fishing village, this rare gem caters effortlessly to families, groups of friends, and couples chasing romance alike.

Cook Islands

Best for: lagoons with less crowds

Refreshingly less commercialised than many of its southern hemisphere neighbours, the Cook Islands are steeped in rich Polynesian culture and surprisingly easy to explore, with just 15 islands woven into its tranquil tapestry.

Forget high-rise hotels, casinos, or cruise terminals, this humble Pacific archipelago favours serenity over spectacle, offering immersive, laid-back outdoor experiences at a slower pace. On Rarotonga, the lush beating heart of the islands, or on Aitutaki, where one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons glistens. As the local saying goes, “You’ll be hard-pressed to find a building taller than a coconut tree”.

And the best part? The Cook Islands’ magic runs as deep as it does high. Beneath the turquoise shallows, snorkelers drift through coral gardens alive with colour and marine life – proof that this tropical paradise is just as dazzling below the surface as it is above.

Vanuatu

Best for: accessible aquatic adventure

If a welcoming tropical oasis close to home is calling, place Vanuatu high on your island itinerary. Often celebrated as the “happiest place on earth”, Vanuatu’s archipelago of 83 islands seamlessly blends Melanesian village life with breathtaking natural splendour.

While the Mediterranean may boast glistening grottos, Vanuatu delivers its own divine allure in the South Pacific: hike the rim of an active volcanos, like Mount Yasur on Tanna Island, snorkel among a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, plunge into luminous blue holes, like Espiritu Santo, or chase waterfalls hidden deep in the jungle. As night falls, sip kava with locals beneath a canopy of stars and discover a world away without travelling half way across the globe. 

New Caledonia

Best for: paradise with French pastries

Blending French sophistication with Melanesian warmth, New Caledonia lies just three hours north east of Sydney yet feels worlds away. Think sugar-white sands paired with flaky Parisian pastries – a cultural cocktail that’s as unique as it is irresistible.

Its proximity to Australia makes it less crowded than many South Pacific neighbours, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. A French territory since 1853, the islands brim with both adrenaline and awe. Spot whales breaching offshore, snorkel or kayak the glassy waters of Nouméa, and uncover the Isle of Pines, an underwater treasure trove of jewel-bright coral.